Appeal Court fixes July 7 to hear ADC, Accord Party deregistration case

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set July 7 to hear an appeal against the deregistration of five political parties. The parties include the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The court adjourned proceedings on Thursday to allow all parties file and exchange their legal arguments. Counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), told the three-member panel that the record of appeal and the Federal High Court judgement were only sent to the appellate court earlier this week. He asked for a short adjournment to file the necessary documents. No party opposed the request.

Presiding Justice Abba Mohammed granted the application and fixed July 7 for hearing. The appellant’s counsel had asked for a three-day adjournment, but the court said some panel members would be away from Abuja for a special session. That made the later date necessary.

The appeal comes from a judgement by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja. He ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five parties for failing to meet constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Lifu ruled that the parties did not meet the conditions required for their continued registration. He restrained INEC from recognising them, accepting their candidates, or allowing their activities for the 2027 general election. The court also barred the parties from presenting themselves as registered political parties.

The suit was filed by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL). The group argued that the parties failed to meet the electoral performance benchmarks set by the constitution.